Portable tree-holder



P. J. IHRIG.

PORTABLE TREE HOLDER.

Async/umu man MAYIs. 1921.

Patented Dec. 27, 1921.v

...L l IWI/v roR jef/@RUIM ATTORNEY;

UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ica `marien. J. mme, or SPRINGFIELD, omo, `nssrezron or ONF-,HALF ToJUsTU's x. lirriitie, or SPRINGFIELD, omo.

PORTABLE `'iftuali-HOLDER.

'Omallwlwm t may coil/wem u Be it known that I, PETER J. Inizio, a eltizen ofthe United States, residing at Springfield, in the county ofv Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Tree-Holders, of which the following is a specification, ref erencei being had therein to the accompanying drawing. j n l This invention relates to improvements 1n portable tree holders, designed particularly for use at Christmas time for the support of Christmas trees set up within the household at such time.

The invention consists, essentially, of a frame and a clamp with mechanism to adjust `the clamp to and from the frameso that the tree may be embraced, irrespective of its diameter, between the frame and the clamp, and thus be held securely in an upright position. y

The invention consists further of numerous features of detail as will hereinafte appear.

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved tree holder;

VF ig. 2 is a plan view thereof Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation ofa portion of the clamp and one of the adjusting pinions; and

Fig. 4 is a detail View of the stud shaft and detent, which latter is used to en fage a rack wheel in holding the clamp in a justed positions.

The numeral 1 designates two uprights Whose `lower ends are adapted to be inserted in or to be secured to a suitable base 2, suiiciently extended in size and heavy enough to maintain the uprights in a standing position, with or without the use of securing means, such as screws 3. Braces 4 aid in securing the fixed relation of the uprights 1 `to the base 2. The two uprights are connected together by cross beams 5 and 6. A shaft 7 is mounted in bearings in the uprights and equipped with two pinions 8, a ratchet wheel 9 and a crank 10. A detent 11 is carried on a stud shaft 12 which projects from one of the uprights. The stud shaft has a spline 13 through a part of its length and the detent has a hole 14 adapted to fit the stud shaft and a seat 15 which permits `the detent to be slipped past the spline, when it may drop down and by its weight Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2.17, 1921.

Application led May 16, 1921. Serial No. 470,151, i

engage lthe teeth in the ratchet 9. To sustain the `detent out of contactwith the ratchet wheel it is simply necessary `to lift it and shiftit on thel shaft until the spline 13` enters the seat 15, which willhold the detent in an elevated position. A. mere touch by the finger will cause the detent to drop back into the teeth of the ratchet.

`The uprights are further provided with guide blocks or surfaces 16 and 17 between which, on the inner side of the uprights, .is placed the clamp composed of side bars 18 each having a toothed rack 19 and interconnected by a cross beam 20, at one end.

The pinions 8 engage with theseetoothed racks so that when they are revolved through the shaft 7 and crank 10 the clamp will be brought against, or adjusted awa-y from, the trunk of the tree indicated at 21, which occupies a position between the side bars 18 of the clamp, the cross beam 20 and the cross inelnbers 5 and 6 of the main frame. Therefore, when the clamp is adjusted tightly against the tree the latter will be held firmly in the adjusted or upright position. The bottom of the tree will rest on the base 2 or other support by which the frame is maintained .in a vertical position.

The construction of my tree-holder is simple, all the major parts being straight. It is easily operated and readily applied t0 a tree, which may either be dropped down between the cross bar 2O of the clamp and the members 5 and 6 of the frame, or may be brought within the clamp by running the racks clear off of the pinions and placing the clamp about the tree.

The porta-ble quality or character of my holder adds to its utility since it inay be placed anywhere about the household that it is desired to have the Christmas tree.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is z* 1. In a tree holder, the combination with a frame comprising a base, perpendicular uprights extending therefrom, a shaft longitudinally mounted in the uprights, and pinions near each end of the shaft, of a clamp having side bars mounted-to slide in the uprights, racks on the side bars adapted to engage the pinions on the shaft, and means to secure the clamp in adjusted positions to maintain its grip upon a tree.

2. In a tree holder, the combination with a frame, comprising a base, perpendicular uprights extending therefrom, a shaft longitudinally mounted in the uprights, and pinions near each end of the shaft, of a clamp having side bars and a cross-beam, said bars adapted to slide in the uprights, racks on said side bars adapted to mesh with said pinions and a detent and ratchet mechanism to secure the clamp in adjusted positions.

3.V In a tree holder, the combination with a frame comprising a base, perpendicular uprights extending therefrom, cross-meinbers, a shaft longitudinally mounted in the uprights, and pinions near each end of the shaft, of aelamp comprising two side bars, a Cross-beam connecting said side bars at one end, a toothed rack-bar on each side bar, a ratehetfon the end of the horizontal shaft,

and a detent carried by the 'rame to engage with the ratchet.

4. In a tree holder, the combination with a frame comprising a base, two perpendicular uprights extending therefrom, cross- Inembers and guiding blocks, a horizontal crank shaft mounted in the uprights, a pin ion near each end oi the shaft, and a ratchet Wheel on one end thereof, of aelarnp oomprising tWo side hars fitting between the guide blocks, a rack on each oi" said bars PETER J'. IHRIG. 

